Volume 112, Issue 1 Oct. 2016
2
North becomes Demonstration School: What does that mean?
A. Reyes
The Polar Bear Pantry
M. Van Dee Bo
Crime Changes the Community: Hope is in sight
M. Carmenatte
Time “fries” when you’re having fun
M. Alexander
I hate you a latte: Pumpkin Spice edition
M. Bohall
Kane Bonnett’s Race in life
A. Campos
The Juggling Act: Phuc Le finishes high school at U of I
M. Houska
Journey Around the World: Science teacher Kristin Brodie Maria Wray: Peru life helped grow new social studies teacher Anna Baumann’s New Life at North for the School Year The Fight Against Cancer North High Theatre Faces a New Beginning Half Pints, Whole Hearts Should North athletes be paid to play in college? Last Year as a Polar Bear Mile High to Victory: North Seniors’ Journey to Colorado
Table of Contents
G. Hernandez A. Primsrose L. Christensen B. Petersen Y. Lee M. Alexander G. Rossi A. George K. Schnathorst
Design: C. Neades
3
North High School is the first high school in Des Moines to be a demostration school Angelica Reyes, News Editor Teachers and school administration are formation they need rather than teaching to yet it takes all of us to get there, and the demfeeling challenged by the new academic stan- the test, like standardized testing. Participat- onstration schools I believe will do just that.” dards, but they hope by participating in this ing in the Rigor Program will raise the expecNorth High is becoming an amazing school program it will help achieve a new academic tations standards of North High students and with its diverse population, which is one of level of participation from the students and its community. the reasons why North was chosen as a demo teachers in the classrooms. Demonstration North High used to be a Turn Around school. North has shown that students are schools address the critical need in public ed- School, which meant North was the lowest capable of achieving anything regardless of ucation to develop students into tomorrow’s preforming high school in Iowa. Principal where you come from or who you are, anyone future. that puts forth the effort can succeed “The new curriculum It’s a step-by-step program that allows under any circumstances. students to be challenged in their every- shouldn’t just be a window into othMany like Principal Vukovich day work. Teachers amplify their teachhope that after participating in this ing curriculum by implementing more er parts of history or other things, but program an environment will be engaging and academically demanding it should be a mirror; students should created where students feel confortlearning. Students will learn to critically able expressing their voices and are be able to see themselves think, analyze, and use their creativity given the tools to create change in in the curriculum.’’ in their work. Also students will learn the world. to work independently and in groups to problem solve. Vukovich says, “When kids became more inPrincipal Michael Vukovich believes “The vested in the school, the behavior looked betnew curriculum shouldn’t just be a window ter, students wanted to be here for the right into other parts of history or other things, but reasons and I hope it continues to head in it should be a mirror; students should be able the right direction.” He goes on to say, “North to see themselves in the curriculum.’’ proves that desegregation and diversity is the This new approach will require teachers way we have to live… I want our students to and students to be evaluated for meaningful take the challenge and show the world that data that will help teachers teach in a way that this environment is the best place to close the will connect more with a student’s education achievement gap and make everyone perform and assure that students are retaining the in- at a high level, and although we are not there North High School Photo Credit: Angelica Reyes
Design: A.Reyes
4
The Polar Bear Pantry Maluhkai Van De Boe, Reporter
Some families need a little help with money, The Polar Bear Pantry is here to help with food, The idea was taken from the schools already doing their own pantry and the food bank of Iowa helped adapt the idea to fit our school. The food can come from the community and the food bank of Iowa, Anyone at North High School can enjoy the food, students and staff can donate food to the pantry. Any nonperishable food items are accepted, such as canned goods, rice, meals and add-ons to meals. The pantry will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays after school until 4pm, The days will increase if necessary, September 27th will be the day the first shipment should arrive for the pantry. The pantry is located in the silver hallway in room 1515.
News
IJAG, Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates are helping set the business plan in motion. IJAG students are marketing, managing, doing inventory, and advertising the pantry. The Polar Bear Pantry is expected to help North High families in need of food. The other schools enjoying this type of project are being very successful in their pantries. The pantry will be very much based on the pantries at other schools, but as every community is different North High will have to change minor details to help the pantry be more effective at our school and in our community. The pantry may eventually open up to our “feeder” schools, such as Harding, Hiatt, and Goodrell, possibly more in the future. “Hopefully this is very impactful to our students,” says Charles Mercer, Site Coordinator. Design: M. Van De Boe
5
Melanie Carmenatte, Reporter People who have witnessed crime, are the people who only fully understand it. For example, most people will hear about it on the news and see glimmers of it around the neighborhood, but once you see crime in its full perspective, your whole output changes about what really happens around your community. In addition, the more crimes we have happen as a whole, the more influences there is on people, especially youth. Jason Sims, a school resource officer at North High School, stated that violence comes from the lack of guidance at home. If the parent isn’t there to help a student become a better person than who they are, then what’s their role? Yes, many students don’t have parental guidance, which is why at school or outside of home, a person tries to find a role model. “It all starts from home, there is a lack of discipline at home, from parents being to busy with so many different jobs, so the lack of guidance at home isn’t there these days,” he said. With so many people now without any help from an adult prospective, students take guidance from what’s happening in schools, peers, and what’s happening on social media. With all the crime that have
Local Facts:
been happening, there is more money spent on security - In 2014, Iowa ranked #34, with 271 violent crimes per surveillance systems, 100,000 people. (wqad.com) locks and other equipment which in - Yet our crime is well below average rate of property turn, raises the stores crimes, like burglaries and theft. (realestate.usnews.com) pricing. Many incidents - Homicides have decreased 31 percent over the past 20 have happened al- years in Des Moines. (desmoinesregister.com) ready this year, with the fight at Goodrell - Top 3 Dangerous Cities in Iowa; Mid- Council Bluffs, Keokuk, and Waterloo. (iowafc.org) d l e School that left a young on the crime, if you are a person of boy in the hospital, to youth you could head to a juvenile dea shooting that hap- tention center, which is a lot like adult pened near Mac’s Bar jail. “Think about your future,” Sims said. and Grill that tragically killed one man Once people do get out of a juvenile and physical injured two more. That’s detention center or just plain jail, some just in two months. Also many people don’t realize that change and some sadly don’t. Change things they do could possibly ruin is mostly for a child or just a fear of gotheir whole life. Every little thing af- ing back. Some kids do actually work fects what you want to do. Depending to keep their life together. “You always have hope for change,” Sims said. Most crime in general isn’t even violence related. There will be mostly theft and not obeying driving laws or laws in general. But in Des Moines, peoplewant to be in a environment that is safe and that can help students or adults grow to be the person they want to be, whether that is in a week or three years. Everyone has a goal.
“You always have hope for change.”
This is Jason Sims’ second year at North as a resource officer. Photo Credit: Melanie Carmenatte
Design: M. Carmenatte
6
Mya Alexander, Editor Fries are like people. There’s the fat and the skinny, the short and the tall, the salty and unsalted, and of course the best and the worst. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is choose where to get French fries from. Especially when you’re going down a street like East 14th covered in fast food places, you have to mentally rank all of those places to see where to go. And I have gto you covered.
5
McDonalds is the thinner, saltier side of French fries. Although it contains bunches of “add ins” it’s hard not to order their fries. While they are delicious I find it hard to continuously eat them. Sometimes my tongue will get to feeling weird from all the salt and I have to down a Coke just to finish my fries. And if you have to have a sidekick to help finish something tasty, thats a bad sign. And for that reason, McDonalds are rated at #5.
4
Wendy’s may be famous for their “frosty’s” but their fries are often forgotten. They may not be the best but they are certainly worth it. Whenever I go to Wendy’s I feel like I have to get fries with whatever I order. The thing that makes their fries great is that they’re visibly fresh in the sense that you can still see the potato skin on the fries. They also cook them to a perfection, but not consistently. If someone is going to make fries the most important thing is to make sure they are cooked all the way through. With that inconsistency comes a rank of #4. cz
3
T h e b e s t thing about Burger King fries is their thickness. If you’re like me, you like the thicker fries that are crisp as you bite into them but still soft Ranked best French fries in Des Moines by students. Photo Credit: Oracle Editors on the inside. You can also feel the heat coming Whenever I drive by Every time you order them out of them when you bite into B-Bop’s I always see there is no doubt that you get it and getting them straight out ten cars piled up at the same perfectly cooked fries of the fryer is the best feeling. their drive-thru. Be- with just the right amount of The only downside to Burger fore I had their French fries I crunch, and freshness you can King is their container sizing. was always intrigued as to why smell through the bag. It’s really Sometimes you order a small so many people were there at just the best of both worlds. Bfry thinking you’re getting a one time, but now I know. BBop’s will forever be #1 for fries, “small” amount but really it’s Bops’ fries have everything you and #1 in my heart. that of a value fry. It all depends wish to find in French fries. on whether you want quality and quantity. But I like both, so Burger King gets a rank of #3.
1
2
Now, Bibbs might be a local restaurant on the corner by North, but that’s one of their best properties. With them being local you already know that their fries are made-toorder and fresh every time. They are the soft, crinkle cut, yet still crunchy kind. The great thing about them is that you can just continuously eat them anytime, anywhere. My all around favorite part is the fact that they come in a box. Yeah. A box. Of fries. Probably the greatest invention ever. On the contrary, Bibbs fries get cold really fast, so it feels like you have to eat them in a short amount of time. For that tiny but noticeable flaw, they get a rank of #2.
Weigh in on your favorite kind at northhighoracle.com
Opinions
Des Moines, Iowa
“I like that there are smaller class sizes and I can get individual attention.” – John Gioffredi
Learn more at
Metro vIsIt Day Friday, october 21
art actIon Day Friday, october 28
steM actIon Day
tuesday, november 15 Sign up onLine or give uS a caLL!
www.admissions.grandview.edu 515-263-2810 Design: M. Alexander
7
Megan Bohall, Copy Editor Chilly nights, orange leafs crunching under your brand-new boots, racing through corn mazes, and nestling inside on a rainy day drinking… wait? What’s that in your hand? A pumpkin what now? Please tell me you did not order a pumpkin spice latte. Oh no, you did. Listen to me very carefully as I tell you the reasons ordering a pumpkin spice latte should not be on your fall to-do list. Reason number one: you have such a short time here on earth do you really want to spend it drinking fake pumpkin? Now I could give you the list of fake preservatives found in a pumpkin spice lattes, but you would most likely retaliate by stating that almost everything these days has preservatives in them,
so I won’t. I will simply say that a better drink to replace a pumpkin spice latte with is fresh apple c i d e r. Now if you tell me you hate apples, I might seriously faint. Apple cider is one of the best drinks ever made and if going to an apple tree farm and picking apples while drinking fresh apple cider wasn’t on your fall todo list, then it should be now. Reason number two: Drinking them can make
you gain weight Okay, I’m not saying by drinking one tall pumpkin spice latte you’ll gain 1 0 pounds, but in an article written by “The Daily Mail” last year they will slow down your metabolism and make your appetite grow, which will cause your body to store those extra calories. We are not alowed to gain weight until Aunt Martha brings out the Christmas cookies.
Reason number three: Do you really want to be that friend? Imagine this, you and your favorite group of friends stroll into Starbucks in your new warm scarfs and fancy boots you spent way too much on. Then you all walk up to the cashier and everyone places their orders, but as soon as you let those three, simple words out of your mouth you immediately regret it. Can you imagine all your friends’ faces as you order a pumpkin? Spice? Latte? Now that’s tragic. So as you can see the Pumpkin Spice Latte is the worst, most disgustingly evil thing to ever be put on the planet. Next time you go to a coffee shop make sure you re-think your order.
Design: M.Bohall
8 now 58 and is still racing. Bill is a two time Kane Bonnett, junior, races against National Champion an opponent at Warren County fair and is also the reason speedway in Indianola, IA, and goes why Kane got behind for a chance to win first place but backs the wheel. down when he realizes he could possi“Ever since I was bly put himself in danger. Coming up little I wanted to on the finish line, Kane Bonnett and race because he was his opponent Cody Blackman, are racaround it -- I want to ing side by side when he runs Bonnett go fast just like he did up against the wall. Not wanting to so that’s why I did it,” wreck his car and saving himself from Kane Bonnett (middle) poses holding a third place trophy. Kane says with a wide Photo Courtesy: Michelle Bennett what could’ve been a bad accident, smile. Bonnett backs down and let’s the racer Kane’s grandfather also helps “There’s people out there that help, take first place, sacrificing his chance him with his racing career, by giving just not all the time and it kind of get’s at winning. him rides to the tracks and with mon- hard,” he says. “I was making the top work which ey. Another person who is a big sponRacing can come with an advantage, rarely happens, the track was slick and sor to Kane is Ralph Bounce, along especially for Kane. Since his grandfathat’s when good drivers shine, and on with Jamie Songer, and his boss, An- ther is a National Champion, people the last lap I was getting nervous and drew Rice, at Diamond Detail. recognize who Kane is. spun the tires coming out of second, “I work right across the street at Dia“There’s an advantage because evand he got a run on me going into third mond Detail, he helps, he pays me my eryone knows who I am and races me as we came to the checkered. I held my $8 an hour and then sometimes when- clean and respects who I am,” Kane exline and he came up the track going 50 ever I need help going to the racing plains. as we went down the front stretch as he’ll pay for some fuel,” he says referKane and his grandfather have also he passed me by a bumper,” Bonnett ring to his boss. traveled to many places because of racexplains. Racing can be a very exciting sport, ing. Such as: Memphis, Missouri, IndiBonnett has been racing since he but it can also be very expensive. It’s anola, Adel, Oskaloosa, and even here could drive. His grandpa, Bill Bonnett about $100 for each race. in Des Moines sometimes. has been racing since he was 17, he is “Money. That’s a big deal. Got to have “Just wherever we want to go really – a good sponsor to do Wherever we can afford to go we’ll go,” that. When you’re go- Kane says. ing to school and stuff Although money is a big issue for it’s kind of hard to go Kane and so is continuing school while racing. So that’s prob- he races. Kane pushes through with ably the biggest obsta- the help of his grandfather and many cle,” Kane says. Kane’s others. Kane believes he wouldn’t be dream is to become racing without them. a professional race“Ralph is my biggest supporter, he car driver but money helps me out any way he can,” Kane stands in the way. says. Kane Bonnett racing at Warren County Speedway. Adrianna Campos, Reporter
Features
Photo Courtesy: Michelle Bennett
Design: A. Campos
Madison Houska, Co-Editor In Chief A “small academic circus” might be just the phrase one would use to describe Phuc Le’s excelling academic life. Just last year, Le walked our halls and took classes here just like every other student at North High School as well as being involved in numerous extra curricular activities. In addition to his current schooling, he recently added another academic ‘act’ earlier this year. For Le, April was the start of a new beginning. “In April, I got accepted to the Bucksbaum Early
PHUC LE Finishes high school at University of Iowa
Entrance Academy and admission to the University of Iowa,” Le said. The Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy is a program that allows students to skip whatever year is left of high school and begin their undergraduate study. After receiving an informational email from the University of Iowa about the Bucksbaum Academy, he went to the website and signed up for the information. He then applied for admission to the Bucksbaum Academy and regular admission to the University of Iowa. This year he will begin his undergraduate study and is in progress of pursuing a bachelor degree. When asked about his major Le said, “I am majoring in Pre-Business. In the spring I will apply to Tippie College of Business and declare [a] Ma n a g e m e nt Major-Human Resource Le (middle) and some other academy students pose for a selfie at track.” Kinnick Stadium the night of freshmen kickoff. Photo Courtesy: Phuc Le
9
Phucs Extra Curricular Activities --Silver Cord:: 3 years --National Honor Society: 2 years --Student Ambassador:: 2 years --National Council on Youth Leadership: first year --Dance Marathon(UOI): first year When asked about where he resides this year, Le said, “This year, 10 students including me got accepted to the Academy. We are required to live in Daum Hall our first year. Daum Hall connects to the Blank Honors Center (Belin Blank Center and Honors Center) through a skywalk.” Although the program has come with many exciting experiences, Le also faces new challenges. “The challenge I face so far is seeking help. There is so many ways you can get help; Writing Center, Speaking Center, Advising Center, Peer Tutoring… etc. Even though I don’t feel like I need help, I am still trying to seek help to review lecture notes and other material to make to be prepare for mid-term exams and final,” Le said. But for Le, the pros outweigh the cons. He is enjoying the opportunity he’s been given. When asked
about his favorite experience so far, Le said, “My favorite experience so far is the Living Learning Community. I live with other students in the Bucksbaum Academy. We’re like a family. I never feel lonely.” All in all, the Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy is certainly an “act” in its own. But Le is taking it full force and also has some advice for anyone interested. “If you are seeking an opportunity to excel academically and socially, then the Bucksbaum Academy is the right fit. It builds a small community within an enormous campus community to help you transition in to college life. Don’t worry about feeling overwhelmed, everyone does, but you have other students in the Academy who are in the same situation that will make it through the transition with you,” Le says. Design: M. Houska
10
New science teacher, Kristin Brodie, has traveled across the world to help those in need Gabby Hernandez, Reporter
Kristin Brodie teaches environmental science and biology at North. Photo Credit: Gabby Hernandez
Around the world, there are many diverse, unique countries to explore. Kristin Brodie, environmental science and biology teacher, was filled with wanderlust and traveled many countries; from studying abroad in Wales for six months, backpacking through France and Italy, to joining the Peace Corp and being sent to The Gambia. Peace Corp is a government organization that sends volunteers to developing nations and offers aid or assistance through people instead of monetary donations or material items. “It’s an education, community development, and a couple other different parts. You just work with other members of your country to best serve or help your village and what it need. Sometimes that will look like bringing water pumps into a village or teachFeatures
ing,” She said. Living in The Gambia was very unique from Iowa. “You live in what you would call like a compound, like a house with a bunch of different people living together; you could have four generations living under one roof easily. My family was a little bit unique; there was one father and he had two wives (Polygmy is allowed in their culture)... Each wife had 6-7 kids so you’re living in a small area with a lot of people,” She said. There are a lot of little memories Brodie remembers but there is one in The Gambia that stands out. Brodie was riding in a Gellie Gellie, a mode of public transportation in The Gambia, with an old woman, two old men, the driver, and an apprenti who was in charge of the fares. The driver decides to teach the apprenti to drive. “The apprenti, he keeps driving us off the road because he’s never driven a car before... the woman is scared to death and she is threatening to throw her chicken at him... Then we come to this HUGE hill and at the bottom of this hill is a giant herd of cows... the apprenti did not know how to brake so he just got up and went and sat in the back of the van,” She explained. This deathtrap known as a Gellie Gellie miraculously swerved through all of the cows. “When we got out, I remember we all refused to pay our fare because we did not get in this vehicle to pay for the apprenti to learn how to drive,” she said, smiling at the terror filled memory.
Being in The Gambia has not only brought Brodie joy through her adventures but has taught her many valuable skills; she is very fluent in the Wolof language and has learned to live and survive in a developing country. “(I learned) what that means being a woman, what that means being American, what that means being a Christian in a Muslim state. I learned how to cook different Wolof dishes with a part of many Wolof celebrations...” Now back in Iowa, the thing Brodie misses the most is having to think in order to survive. “There is no ‘ I’m thirsty, go turn on the faucet and grab a drink of water,’ I think I found coming back to America, so much of our lives are not caught up in survival, so much of our lives are caught up in personal choices. That if you wanted to go a whole day and not extend a single thought. And I think that’s what I miss most, I miss being challenged to where I have to be thinking every single day about how am I going to survive,” she said. Brodie now has the opportunity to relive some old American traditions again such as fall leaves, pumpkins, and especially pumpkin pie! And for the first time in four years, she is going to be celebrating the season of giving. “I’m going to be celebrating Christmas for the first time in four years, I’m really looking forward to some of those things. So I’m excited I guess for the feeling my life’s going to move forward because seasons are happening now,” she said. Design: G. Hernandez
Abbie Primrose, Reporter North has many new teachers, but one of them has been to an extraordinary place - Santa Cruz, Peru - and has witnessed and lived through some extraordinary things. North High’s new history teacher Mrs. Maria Wray teaches 20th century world history and AP U.S history. This is her very first year teaching at North, but she has been teaching at many other different schools in different parts of the world for the last 17 years. Over the past ten months, Wray and her family have been working with an organization called Project Amazonas which is an organization that takes students and adults to the amazon for an amount of time and helps them learn and experience a different way of life. Wray, her husband and three daughters all lived in Santa Cruz, Peru, which is 13 miles from Iquitos. Iquitos is the largest city in the world that doesn’t have a road running straight in or out of it; it is completely surrounded by water. To get across those 13 miles, they would have to take a boat ride for 90 minutes. The reason Wray went to Santa Cruz was to help teach English. She would go to the village and teach English to kids who were in elementary school, ages ranging from three to 14. She says she loved it and the kids were so excited about having someone else come in and teach them about something they weren’t used to learning. They lived in the jungle, which means no power outlets, but they did
ww
Mrs. Maria Wray, the new social studies teacher at North. Photo Credit: Abbie Primrose
Wray with her American students who were visiting. Photo Courtesy: Maria Wray
Wray and her family take a family photo at the beach. Photo Courtesy: Maria Wray
The Wrays with a Galapagos Tortoise in Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Photo Courtesy: Maria Wray
have flushing toilets, which is a privilege they didn’t think they would have. The Wrays also had solar panels to provide light, and their electronics were powered during the day, but when the sun went down they lost all power for their stoves and electronics so they had to eat and do their homework before then. They said it was pretty easy to adapt because near the equator the sun sets and rises at basically the same hour so if it rises at say 5:30 a.m. it would set at 5:30 p.m. Wray said they did have a battery source so they could attach light bulbs and string them across the ceiling and have light during the night. Because the light was limited, they hiked instead of staying inside in the dark. As they were exploring, they would encounter different types of fruits and plants, and all of the insects and animals they could such as monkeys or birds. She said the trip was overall an amazing experience, and she definitely would want to go back again. She has some advice for anybody who may have their heart set on traveling. She says, “Explore…I think that we take a lot of things for granted that we have here in the United States, and I think that we are privileged. Over there it isn’t about what you own. None of that factors in. We had to conserve and learned to take care of and appreciate the things we had, and here I think at times we just don’t do that. It’s really an eye-opener going there. I think you should take the time to explore and experience a different way of life”.
Laura Christensen, Editor
Anna Baumann is one of the two foreign exchange students from Germany. She’s a 16 year old junior here at North who has also been a foreign exchange student in Poland and Kentucky. She is also involved in the girls’ cross country team for the school. Q: How long are you an exchange stu- Q: Is there anything you don’t like dent for? about the US? A: 10 months, I will leave in June. A: I am not a fan of fried food and I don’t like how everything is AmeriQ: What’s it like living with a host canized. family instead of living back home? A: It’s very different but I feel like I really get to know American culture that way and they have been really nice to me. Q: What do you like about North? A: I like the diversity. Q: How is North different from your school back home? A: My school is a lot smaller, I only have 30 people in my grade which is average size for a German school and German schools don’t have school sports. Q: In your opinion, is the school work at North harder or easier than back home? Why? A: I think it’s easier (in the US) because we have to write essays a lot more which can be hard sometimes.
Q: If you could bring one thing from home, that you don’t have with you here, what would it be? A: Probably my soccer jersey of the German national team that I did not bring with me. Q: Do you encourage other students to experience being an foreign exchange student, why or why not? A: I’d definitely encourage other people to be an exchange student because it’s really interesting to meet many people with many different views of life that you never thought about before. Q: What do you like most about being an exchange student? A: I feel like it kinda makes me more open-minded. Q: Has it been an easy transition? Why or why not? A: It has been easy to me because everyone has been really nice and making sure that I can adjust. Q: What’s it like not knowing anyone and coming to a completely new school? A: It’s kind of scary at first but I quickly got to know really nice people.
13
Breana Petersen, Reporter who could have more of a childhood Kiera Sanderman is a senior here outside of the hospital because a year at North High, just trying to make it and a half after Kiera was diagnosed through her last high school year, but she attended a party that changed her she has an amazing story to tell. Sand- life. “They said it was an end of treatment erman is a childhood cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Optic Glioma, party and I was so happy to actually which is pilocytic tumors and can in- have beaten it.” Sanderman said. For now her tumors are stable and volve the optic nerve, at age four. “I think they are on my optic nerves in- not growing. Kiera has to go in once a year for MRI’s just to check up and side my head” Sanderman ex- “It made me strong and feel make sure the cancer hasn’t like I can do anything. If I plained. When talking could survive cancer I think I come back. “When they about her childcan do almost anything.” found tumors hood Sanderman said “It was pretty tough. People on my spine, I think I was about 12. would bully me in school thinking I was afraid that it was gonna come I had a disease. Even though I don’t back, that they were cancerous. When think I could actually go to school un- the results came back it said they were til I finished my treatment. And grow- not cancerous. Which really relieved ing up I just kept hearing that it would me. I do not want to go through that come back or people would continue again.” Sanderman said. Having cancer really changes a perto make fun of me.” Optic Glioma is a rare kind of cancer, son, leaves an imprint. For Keira that often found in children, but the affects imprint is strength. She doesn’t let the past and/or the threat of cancer weigh can be deadly and painful. “It was really rough. I was sick a lot. I her down. She lets the world know that can remember throwing up so much. I beating cancer has given her strength remember losing my hair a lot. Chemo to over come anything. Ever since Kiera was a kid she wanted makes your hair fall out. So growing up with that and being sick all the time to be a vet or something in the mediand losing all my hair, is a big change. cal field. But she also knows that she It’s not really fair for a little kid that wants to volunteer in children’s hospiyoung to have cancer. I didn’t know tals because she knows what the kids what my chances of living were.” San- are going through, and she can help them through it. She’s living proof that derman said. She was one of the very lucky children cancer can be beaten.
Kiera sits with her older brother (left) during one of her treatments. Phtoto Courtesy: Kiera Sanderman
Kiera’s grandma (right) holds her close. Photo Courtesy: Kiera Sanderman
What is Optic Glioma?? An optic nerve glioma (also called an optic pathway glioma) is a slowgrowing brain tumor that arises in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. As the tumor progresses, it presses on the optic nerve, causing a child’s vision to worsen. Blindness can occur, but only in about 5 percent of cases. While these are serious tumors, they have a high cure rate. Nearly 75 percent of optic nerve gliomas, which may affect one or both eyes, occur in children younger than 10, with most younger than 5 years of age at the time of diagnosis. Optic nerve gliomas account for 5 percent of all childhood brain tumors.
Kiera celebrates after finding out she beat cancer at her end of treatment party. Photo Courtesy: Kiera Sanderman
14 Yer Lee, Editor The performing arts department is where students with skills and finesse can refine their talent. It is where those who can’t shine on the field, can shine on stage. A stage where the power of words is recited through poetry, music sung to unite, actions are used to speak louder than words, and when instruments are used as an extension of our voices. Amy Rost, one of the many teachers at North High School, recently began teaching the theatre arts classes for her first time this year. Last year, the theatre arts was going to be removed from the arts department due to budget cuts. At the time, students and community members petitioned but it was not enough, and the theatre arts was lost. Thankfully, Rost stepped up and took on the role of teaching it, and because of her, students were able to look forward to another year of the class. “It was a minor of mine in college, I always enjoyed it. I enjoyed it as a high school student and I think it’s important to have an avenue to express creativity and I think high school can get really monotonous and stuArts & Entertainment
dents need some sort of way to express them and they get to share a lot more with you and you really get to form themselves,” she said. In the years prior, Mark Rixner was really strong bonds and see kids in a the representative and teacher of the- different light than you would in just a atre arts. Many students looked up typical classroom,” She said. As for the future, Rost has some of to him as a positive role model who her own plans. In November, she and helped drive them towards success. One could even say he was a “father” her students plan to perform their play to them. Are the students ready to take called “Geezers” which takes set in a nursing home. Actors will poke jokes on a different teacher? As a former student of North herself, at old people and viewers will be able Rost knows the effects Rixner can have to watch how their lives unfold and on students from a “very personal lev- how they ended up in a nursing home. el,” she said. Not only that, she hopes Rost is also excited to start making muto gain the same respect that a lot sicals. She wants to incorporate music of the students “I think it’s important to have an into the classes and to grow the had and also avenue to express creativity and musical numhas intentions I think high school can get bers. To accomto challenge plish this, she really monotonous and students them. hopes to work In the need some sort of way to with the North past, many express themselves” choir and to get students knew Rost as a math teacher kids comfortable to sing on stage. Although it may not be set in stone, when she formerly taught geometry. Now, she also has she hopes to one day take over the ento balance her time to teach tire theatre arts department. It may not 20th Century World History be now but, “in the foreseeable future, this year. Despite this, Rost it’d be great if I could teach only theloves the addition of teaching the ater arts and really be able to focus all theater arts class and how it chal- of my time in really growing the department” she said. lenges her. “I do like that you can see kids differently like they’re up and at
1.) Graduated from North High School in 2008. 2.) Was a four-year varsity swimmer in her time at North. 3.) Met her husband sophomore year on the auditorium stage during a tech day.
4.)While a student at North, from August-November, Rost would be at North from 6am-9pm each day between school, swim practice, and play rehearsals. 5.) Junior year, Rost tore her meniscus during a tech day for “Fiddler on the Roof ” and had to enter physical therapy for two months. Design: Y. Lee
15
Mya Alexander, Editor Some people know of RunDSM and the many things associated with it, but one thing that has not been mentioned is a new mentorship opportunity. Half Pints is giving high school students the chance to work at elementary schools and get a glimpse as to what they might do in the future. “Some of the mentors actually want to be teachers and work with young people so it’s a great way to get some exposure.” said Words Taylor, director of Half Pints. When people think about jobs around kids, usually it’s a bad vibe. The thought of “hard to handle kids” puts the brakes on our thoughts. With Half Pints, it’s the exact opposite. “Normally like you don’t wanna be around kids. But when you see their eyes light from you getting to them it’s an experience that is so surreal” said Davonte Binion.
Not only do the mentors gain memories and exposure, the elementary kids also gain some things. Coming to Half Pints, some kids haven’t spoken to a large crowd and some love it; this just opens up a door for them to get better. “Half Pints... is an opportunity to showcase y o u r voice especially in an environment where there’s adversity and usually there’s no way for kids of that age to do so” said Harry Nguyen The kids also realize this problem. With this world evolving faster every generation, they a r e smarter than we tend At the end of a productive day the Half Pints poets and mentors pose as a group to show their silly side. to anticipate. They Photo Credits: Mya Alexander also have been intro-
duced to the art of “code switch” and it’s their favorite part. “My favorite thing would probably be where you can come out and say things that you can’t normally say in a classroom,” said Aquila BallengerHudson, a fifth grader at Garton. Mentoring the next generation not only leaves a print on the kids, but also the mentors. They say working together towards a greater goal will carry with you for awhile, well that’s exactly what Half Pints is doing. “My favorite would be the fact of seeing their faces
light up every time you enter the room because them seeing that you wanna be there and me seeing that they wanna be there as well, it’s an everlasting effect.” said Nguyen. Since these mentors are with kids on the regular, they start to form bonds. A lot of students have that one teacher that they favor over the rest and that teacher is the one to tell all their problems too. On the flip side, when you get really close you tend to play a few pranks. “April fools when we told them that we were canceling Half Pints, and one of our poets from King broke down and cried cause she said that Half Pints was her favorite and she couldn’t go with out it” said Binion. At the end of the day, Half Pints is equally fun and educational. It’s giving high school students a chance to be mentors and get out in the real world; and elementary students a chance to get free at a young age. It’s a two for one, wholehearted deal. Design: M. Alexander
“She said that Half Pints was her favorite and she couldn’t go with out it.” -Binion
16
Giorgio Rossi, Editor Money means everything in today’s generation, but education is being pushed more and more. With high schoolers looking to pursue athletics in college, college becoming more popular to attend, and kids struggling more than ever to cover the cost, maybe it’s time to start paying college athletes? There is definitely valid arguments to both sides and North students have seen both. Paying college athletes is the first option, which seems a bit extreme at first, but becomes more rational the closer you look at it. Paying college athletes
Bijiek shooting the signature jummpshot that D1 coaches are after. Photo credit: Laura Christensen
Sports
reaps numerous benefits, meals and clothes while but comes with just as many away at college won’t have drawbacks. Student athletes that problem anymore as dedicate over 40 hours a they will have money to week to their sport. That’s support themselves. Then just as much as your average again, the purpose of college full time employee. Athletic is to get an education for life events and nationally tele- after, not to make a career in vised games that bring in your four years. revenue also require athletes There are countless reato miss significant class time. sons that go against why In addition, athletes in col“If I’m going to student athlege shouldn’t letes attract school for free, I’m get paid startcrowds and ing first with thankful for that, sell tickets, the reason they are what the other stuff will that college is bring fans for education, handle itself.” it’s not a job. to the seats. The athletes Playing sports - Bijiek are what sell in college is a the t-shirts and apparel and privilege, not a right. Plus, they don’t see a cent of it. if you already go to college The NCAA is an 11 billion on scholarships how much dollar industry a year with more money do you want? money coming in from TV Paying athletes is a very posviewers, and all the money sible way to bankrupt unigoing to coaches, compa- versities. nies and universities. With “If I’m going to school for several athletes coming free, I’m thankful for that. from third class families, The other stuff will handle the money could help them itself,” said Polar Bear senior support and care for their Jal Bijiek, who has recieved family financially. multiple D1 scholarships. “I think getting paid “I believe a scholarship is would help your parents a enough,” said Young. lot,” said North junior Telly Another supporting reaYoung, who plans to play in son for college athletes not college. getting paid is the lack of Kids that struggle to get motivation. College athlet-
Junior Telly Young hustling to the line during the 3-0 win over Sioux City East. Photo courtesy: Terrance Rowland, Facebook
ics is a stepping stone in your athletic life. If college athletes start getting paid, they now have no motivation to perform to make it onto the next stage of athletes (NBA, NFL, etc.). The wealthiest universities could afford the best players and the smaller schools would have an even harder time bringing players to their school. Paying college athletes can be seen as a genius idea or one that is ignorant. There are definitely benefits and drawbacks to both sides for Polar Bear athletes. Design: G. Rossi
17
Ashley George, Editor Senior football players Jonathan Papiani, Kaine Burch and Andrew Phillips talk about what their goals are, what they want to do after high school, what they will miss about North football when they graduate, and what their favorite memory of North football is.
Kai k ne B urch, Quaterbac Q: What are your goals for this season? A: “Giving birth to a winning season that hasn’t happened in over 40 years.” Q: What are you doing after high school? A: “I plan on going to the University of Iowa and becoming a physical therapist.” Q: What will you miss most about North football? A: “Probably the coaches and friends I play with.” Q: What is your favorite memory from North football? A: “Beating Roosevelt last year.”
Jo na tha k le c nP a T apian i, Offensive Q: What are your goals for this season? A: “I don’t really got any personal goals, except don’t let my quarterback get sacked, and help my team gain a winning record but overall, I want this program to help me 10 years down the road.” Q: What are you doing after high school? A: “Most likely going to college to be a vet, I’m highly considering Colorado State or joining the military is always an option.” Q: What will you miss most about North football? A: “I’ll miss my football family, just the atmosphere we have. We’re more than a team.” Q: What is your favorite memory from North football? A: “My favorite memory is doing the incline challenge in Colorado which was a mile high stair case up a mountain, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
An dre
w Ph
ie Re c
ver
illips, Slot Q: What are your goals for this season? A: “I’m trying to break 1,000 yards this year with 10 touchdowns. As a team I just want to help my team move the chains on offense and have a minimum of a 6-3 record.” Q: What are you doing after high school? A: “After high school I plan on going to college to play football and major in sports medicine.” Q: What will you miss about North football? A: “I’m gonna miss the connection we have as a family. I’m gonna miss the coaching staff as well because win or lose, they just want to see us grow into better men.” Q: What is your favorite memory from North football? A: “My favorite memory was hands down going to Colorado with the seniors and coaches. It was such an amazing experience and it wouldn’t have happened without our head coach, Coach Q.” Design/Pictures: A. George
18
Sports
19
North Seniors’ Journey to Colorado Kenzie Schnathorst, Editor The seniors of the North High football team took a team trip to Colorado during the last week of summer. Their six coaches accompanied them. Coach Gilson, coach Yo, coach Hickson, coach Quinlen, coach Bering and coach Sammons. They went white water rafting, visited the broncos training facility where they practice, and visited the Denver nuggets. But their biggest challenge they faced was climbing up 2,744 stairs for the mile high incline challenge.
“Nothing prepared us better than the climb.”
Kameron Russell “For me the senior trip was about bringing all of the leaders together. By going on the trip we were setting aside all of our differences and getting to know one another better. The trip helped us do that because of the mental and physical challenges we endured, as well as time spent together. We climbed a mile straight up of 2,744 stairs. We did it together, by pushing each other and holding each other accountable. To me that is what we were there to achieve, leadership. Nothing prepared us better than the climb.”
Kaine Burch Q: What did you most get out of the senior trip? A: What I got most out of the trip was teamwork, experiencing new things and building trust within my teammates and just having fun with them. Q: Did the trip build any stronger bonds/ make the team better? A: I think it made stronger bonds because the whole trip was us having to trust each other. Q: What was your favorite thing about the trip? A: My favorite thing about the trip was either doing the mile high incline or white water rafting.
J’shaun Watkins Q: What did you most get out of the senior trip? A: If we work as a team it makes our unit much stronger. Our goal was to get closer as a team. And that’s exactly what happened. Q: Did the trip build any stronger bonds/ make the team better? A: We are already close as a team; we just needed that initial part, which was getting away. The incline mile challenge was our biggest obstacle. We had just got off the train and we were all mentally and physically exhausted and we completed the incline on our first attempt. No practice no preparation. Q: What was your favorite thing about the trip? A: My favorite thing about the Colorado trip was just being with my team and being able to have that experience. I’m very thankful that I have got to play all four years of football with this team. This coaching staff cares greatly about the team. On and off the field. Design: K. Schnathorst